Lists
Reviews
Images
Forums
Movies
TV Shows
DVDs
Music
Books
Games
List added by Johnny P on 24 March 2009 03:53
Yahoo's Top 100 Movies to See Before You Die |
Views : 1173 Comments : 2
|
 263  8.4  8.1 In 1958, Francois Truffaut was banned from the Cannes Film Festival for his famously brutal, unforgiving film reviews. In 1959, he won the top prize with “The 400 Blows.” The film itself -- about a kid struggling to make his own way in an indifferent world -- is funny, charming, and ultimately heart- breaking. It also launched, along with “Breathless” the following year, the French New Wave.
1105 8 8.6 The story of shooting “Apocalypse Now” is nearly as famous and compelling as the film itself. In fact, “Hearts of Darkness,” the documentary about the exhausting 14-month location shoot, is a classic in its own right. But that doesn't rob the original film of any of its power. More an allegory for the madness of all wars than Vietnam itself, it is a brutal epic that takes the viewer down the river and into Hell.
118 8.3 8.2 Based on events during the 1954-1963 Algerian War against French rule, Italian director Gillo Peontecorvo's challenging, realistic depiction of the conflict avoids romanticizing or demonizing either side. A controversial but extremely relevant work, both in its time and still today; there's a reason why the Pentagon screened it in 2003 to illustrate the challenges troops faced in Iraq. It's a striking, artfully made film that will change the way you look at imperialism, terrorism, and the true cost of war.
242 8.3 8.4 “The Bicycle Thief” has been called “masterpiece” so frequently that it's easy to lose sight of just how masterful it is. Using non-professional actors and shooting on the streets of Rome, De Sica evokes the desperation with a perfect blend of pathos and comedy. And if you're not moved by the climactic scene, check to see if you still have a pulse.
572 7.7 7.8 David Lynch's masterpiece plays out like a 1950s Hardy Boys adventure that was hijacked by Marquis de Sade. Squeaky clean images of white picket fences and homecoming queens collide with horrors belched up from the American subconscious. When it came out, “Blue Velvet” was hailed as a masterpiece by some and lambasted by others. Though this movie definitely is not for everyone, it's also not one you will soon forget.
188 8 8.1 Screwball comedy at its finest! One of many film pairings of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, but this time she's zany and he's nerdy (a true stretch). As they circle each other (heiress vs. scientist) in his lab endless pratfalls ensue. Although it was poorly received and almost derailed Howard Hawks' directing career, it opened the door for the brainy, silly romantic comedies we still love today.
1306 7.7 8.3 Because it's awesome. That's all you really need to know. What should have been your fairly standard analog action flick -- Bruce Willis as the right cop in the wrong place at the wrong time -- became the standard by which all modern action movies are measured. This one has it all: a barefoot hero, bad eighties hair, and Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber, one of the greatest screen villains of all time. Yippee-ki-yay... you know the rest.
241 7.6 7.9 Racial tension, anger, and miscommunication tragically collide on the hottest day of the year in writer/director/star Spike Lee's visionary statement on the politics of inner city life. Incendiary and in-your-face, the film frankly struggles with race in 20th century America like no film before it -- with honesty, fresh visuals, and a Brooklyn beat. From the opening scratches of the pulsating Public Enemy intro, to the story's explosive conclusion, the film signaled the welcome arrival a new kind of American filmmaking.
199 7.8 8.1 Comedy used to come in two varieties: there was the witty and wordy “high comedy” style, and the lowbrow realm of slapstick. The Marx Brothers suggested there could be a third iteration: pure insanity. In “Duck Soup,” the four brothers (it's the last film with Zeppo) aimed their anarchic lunacy at politics. Groucho later downplayed their satirical aspirations, but the direct mocking of Fascism caused Mussolini to ban the film, which pleased the Marx boys to no end. “Duck Soup” wasn't very financially successful at the time, but it remains their most enduring and relevant film today.
452 7 7.9 This film was the blueprint for the James Bond franchise that spawned 23 movies...and counting. Connery's 007 was spot on for the big screen, more polished and suave than how the character was written in Ian Fleming's novels. In between sipping martinis and romancing a dangerous damsel named Pussy Galore, he managed to find time to pursue the world's most unfeeling evil mastermind along with his henchmen in a killer hat. How's that for a recipe for success?
202 7.3 7.6 “A Hard Day's Night” deserves to be on the list for sheer technical innovation alone. Director Richard Lester brought the stylistic flourishes of the French New Wave to wide audiences, and created the visual language of music videos in the process. Just as important, though, is how much fun the movie is to watch. The music is incredible, the dialogue is snappy, and the energy is simply relentless. By the end, you might not be crying and screaming out the name of your favorite Beatle, but you'll understand a little better why their fans did.
1440 7.1 8.3 Spielberg was forced to work around the fact that the star of his movie -- the animatronic shark -- had “performance issues.” But by leaning on some ingenious camera tricks and composer John Williams' unforgettable musical theme, he created some of the most tense, unnerving scenes in the history of film by not revealing the shark. This film was also the godfather of the summer blockbuster, and defined the role of the big-budget popcorn movie while also redefining the strategies and expectations of Hollywood marketers.
Comments
Nonfictionguy
Posted : 8 months ago at Mar 24 5:58
12 Angry Men in the top spot, I'm happy!
Johnny P
Posted : 8 months ago at Mar 24 6:15
It's in alphabetical order, the list starts with movie titles that start with numbers first
Login or Signup to post a comment |
Description
Many movies are good, some are great, but only a select few can be called truly "essential." After heated discussions, long negotiations, and a shouting match or two, the staff at Yahoo! Movies has put together this list of the 100 films you must see before you die. To choose the titles for the list, we considered factors like historical importance and cultural impact. But we also selected films that we believe are the most thrilling, most dramatic, scariest, and funniest movies of all time. Some of these films you've seen, and some you may not have heard of, but we believe that each one is a timeless classic that you absolutely have to see. by The Yahoo! Movies Editorial Staff (added to listal.com by John Pinnock)
|
